Bush defends spying progams

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- President Bush said Wednesday that congressional hearings to investigate his domestic eavesdropping program will be good for democracy as long as they don't give secrets away to the enemy.\nBush was initially opposed to having the program investigated in a public format, but made it clear he is resigned to open hearings scheduled to begin in coming weeks.\nBush's decision to authorize the National Security Agency to monitor -- without warrants -- people inside the United States has sparked a flurry of questions about the program's legal justification.\nBush defended the program during a campaign-style town hall meeting, saying he understands concerns about it, but monitoring the phone calls of affiliates of the terrorist network al-Qaida is necessary to protect the United States. He said he made sure he had the legal authority to allow the program before he did so.\n"There will be a lot of hearings to talk about that, but that's good for democracy," he said. "Just so long as the hearings... explore whether or not I had the prerogative to make the decision I make, doesn't tell the enemy what we're doing. See, that's the danger."\nIn the days after the program's existence was revealed, Bush cautioned against hearings, arguing that the appropriate members of Congress were being consulted privately and offering assurances he was working within the law to authorize the eavesdropping.\n"Any public hearings on programs will say to the enemy, 'Here's what they do -- adjust.' This is a war," Bush said at a December news conference when asked about expected hearings on Capitol Hill.\nThe Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled hearings to discuss the issue for early February. The Senate Intelligence Committee also plans to hold hearings that will be closed to the public.\nFor the second time in a month, Bush took questions from audience members during an appearance to win support for his War on Terrorism.\nIn his opening remarks, he defended the global war on terrorism and the U.S. effort in Iraq. He said insurgents in Iraq were trying to drive the United States out through violence and bloodshed but he declared, "They're not going to shake my will."\nWhile saying he wanted to bring American troops home, he said, "I don't want them to come home without achieving the victory."\nIn a question-and-answer session, Bush was asked about Iraq, education priorities, immigration, the economy, health care and other subjects. He said the War on Terrorism would not end with an enemy surrender, as was the case in World War II. \n"I don't envision a signing ceremony on the USS Missouri," Bush said. "The peace won't be the kind of peace we're used to."\nWhite House press secretary Scott McClellan said questions from the audience were not prescreened, and Bush himself said that while the event was about terrorism, no questions were off limits.